The most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (2003-2004) revealed that approximately 18% of children 6-to-19 years old are overweight. The Beacon Street Girls brand was specifically designed to entertain while providing healthy role models and positive messages. This article presents a study that tested whether an age-appropriate novel can improve Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as exercise and nutrition-related knowledge and behaviors in "tween girls enrolled in a childhood obesity treatment program." A group of overweight and obese girls enrolled in The Duke Healthy Lifestyles Program read "Lake Rescue", the sixth book in the Beacon Street Girls 18-book series, or "Charlotte in Paris", one of the Beacon Street Girls special adventure books. A control group was not given a book. According to the study, girls who read either Beacon Street Girls book as part of the program decreased their BMIs more significantly than other girls in the study. After 6 months, researchers found the girls who read Lake Rescue experienced a significant decrease in their BMI, when compared to girls who hadn't read the book. The "Charlotte in Paris" readers also had positive results, losing more than non-readers but not as much as "Lake Rescue" readers. The only other proven and effective strategies for adolescent weight loss today involve medication, surgery or other invasive techniques.